Late Free Throws Down Raiders in Overtime

By Paul Tenorio

Friday, February 29, 2008

With her team down by two points and just 14.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's Virginia Region II girls' basketball semifinal game, Loudoun County sophomore Kendra Holmes stepped to the line and made two free throws, sending the Raiders to overtime and providing hope to a screaming home crowd.

But in the extra period, Charlottesville junior Shawntae Payne hit two free throws of her own -- this time with 3.4 seconds remaining -- to lift the Black Knights to a 64-62 victory in Leesburg.

The loss ends a tremendous season for the Raiders, who after starting the season 2-2 went on a 17-game win streak that lasted two months and captured the AA Dulles District regular season and tournament titles.

After the game, Loudoun County Coach Kevin Reed acknowledged how difficult the loss was to stomach, but praised his team for its performance and said the season was a definite success.

"As I always tell them every single day, 'every day is a day to get better,'" Reed said. "And most importantly you don't have to play perfect; I don't expect you to play perfect. But you can always give a perfect effort. And we gave a perfect effort tonight."

County jumped out to a 21-14 lead after the first quarter behind a 9-4 run sparked by freshman Brittany Batts and Holmes. But in the second quarter, Charlottesville battled back, holding County to just 13 points to tie the score at 34 at the half.

The two teams continued to mirror each other in the second half, with each using small runs to jump to a lead but neither team refusing to go away.

In the fourth quarter, the Raiders jumped to a 10-point lead early on, only to see that lead quickly shrink to one when Charlottesville went on a 9-0 run. The Black Knights then took a two-point lead with 50 seconds remaining, but Holmes used her strength inside to draw a foul and go to the line.

Photo Gallery

Raiders Fall in Overtime

Photo: 0/1

« Previous | Next »

Larger Version

In the second period of game with 7:34 on clock, Loudoun County's No. 3 Kendra Holmes tries to go up with a jump shot in the middle of Charlottesville's defense. She is fouled and goes to free throw line. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

In overtime, Charlottesville's No. 4 Shawntae Payne tries to control the ball as Loudoun County's No. 24 Brittany Batts attempts to steal. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

In the fourth period, Loudoun County ties Charlottesville with a basket. The team cheers and head coach Kevin Reed calls time out. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

In fourth period with 3:07 left, Loudoun County's No. 21 Alissa Kain fights for a rebound against Charlottesville's No. 23 Erica Brown and No. 50 Shalita Brown. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

In overtime, Loudoun County head coach Kevin Reed tries to yell over the crowd to his team. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

At the buzzer in overtime, Loudoun County students react to the score: Charlottesville 64, Loudoun County 62. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

Loudoun County's game against Charlottesville ends with a loss in overtime. Loudoun County players line up to shake hands with Charlottesville. (Tracy A. Woodward)

View all thumbnails

The sophomore had been a force for the Raiders all season long, and things were no different in this game, as she collected 15 rebounds in addition to 14 points -- none bigger than the two from the free-throw that sent the game to an extra session with the score tied at 58.

The two teams traded buckets in overtime, with senior Samantha Akers and Batts hitting for County and Payne and junior Shalita Brown answering for Charlottesville. But a turnover and then the foul call doomed Loudoun County, as Payne stepped forward and nailed two free throws, even as the crowd chanted to remind her of the four she missed in the fourth quarter.

It was a stunning loss for a team that had the potential to challenge for a state title, but nonetheless Reed pointed to the relationships that had formed during the season as providing a positive in a season that ended so bitterly.

"This was nobody's fault," Reed said. "It was the will of the way. The number one thing is, we lost a basketball game but bigger than that we won a basketball family."

NOTES: Akers, the Dulles District Player of the Year, finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Batts added 15 points, and junior Kerry Sarver finished with 12 points. Charlottesville was led by Shawntae Payne (30 points) and Shalita Brown (10 points, 18 rebounds).

Tagged: 2008 Dulles Tournament, basketball, Loudoun County High School, post season

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?